I have a very addictive personality - once I get hooked on something, thats it.
I have been inspired to start some new pieces as well as finish off a couple of old paintings this past week! It has been so warm here..today I think it was almost 80 degrees. We are loving all the sun and the longer days...it makes me feel like I get more done in a day. Here are some projects I am excited about:
I finally figured out the perfect iced coffee recipe! : )
I bought a stamp cutting kit a little while ago and I finally decided to give it a try.
They are pretty simple little cards but I love them! I have so many projects in the works that it's nice to just sit down and finish something quick...
I'm looking around for a simple screen printing kit so I can print my own t-shirts with artwork.
I'm falling in love all over again with British twee pop!!
Please listen to a band called "Blueboy". They are on Sarah Records - a British twee label. It has always been really hard for me to find any CDs from Sarah Records because they are not putting out albums anymore. iTunes is starting to get a fair amount of Sarah bands and compilation albums, though. This makes me so happy! I just found the band Blueboy and I bought the CD "Unisex" - there are one or two songs that are too strange for me but all the others are all sun-shiney and happy. Perfect spring music.
I have tried to find the perfect cookie recipe for quite some time. I love baking but I was continually disappointed with my cookies. They were always too flat and thin, tasted like flour, or were too crunchy. I finally discovered the perfect recipe! I spiced up this traditional chocolate chip cookie recipe to include Sunspire Sundrops, which are all natural m&ms with no artificial flavors or colorings.
I hope you enjoy making them as much as I did!
Ingredients:
2/3 Cup Shortening
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
1 egg
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 3/4 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Cup Sundrops
1/2 Cup Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees
2. Mix shortening, sugars, egg, and vanilla in large bowl
3. Stir together dry ingredients, then blend in.
4. Stir in Sundrops and Chocolate Chips
5. Drop by rounded teaspoons of dough on ungreased cookie sheet
6. Bake 8 - 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cookies will be soft.
7. Cool slightly on pan before removing.
8. Enjoy!!
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This is a great baking soundtrack!
ahh... back on vox. I haven't even thought about Vox this Christmas - sorry to the very few that may be checking.
I am discovering the beauty of loose leaf tea - with the help of a new bird-painted china tea cup, a perfect silver tea spoon, and a heart shaped loose leaf tea diffuser. : ) It has been an adventure.. I especially enjoy Hibiscus tea. It makes a lovely deep red/fusia color. Any suggestions out there on yummy loose leaf teas?
I also received this book and I love it! There are so many good tips and inspiring ideas. Jill Bliss is also featured in an interview! She is so inspiring to me - I connect with her coloring style and the way she portrays nature in a fantastical way. If you don't know who she is please check out her website and her artwork - it is awesome.
I have been painting a series of "growth diagrams" to smybolize life experience and growth in faith and love. They are simple, but I am excited about them. I will post pictures soon!
One of those quick water colors to get the juices running.
Like many others, I have a "thing" for these now prehistoric typing machines. My mom had a gray metal electric typewriter that she had received as a graduation present. I remember constantly taking it out as a child and typing on it, even if it wasn't plugged in. I liked the sound of the keys clicking. I even typed out a couple of letters and journal entries on the thing. It always smelled like ink and heat whenever I turned it on and started typing.
I wonder how many dreams and inspirations have been typed into these clanging metal boxes, when only a handful of these passionate outpourings ever grew wings and flew to us. I imagine typewriters hold many many secrets in their letter feet and ink ribbons that we will never discover.
And now here we are, years later, still pouring ourselves out into a different kind of metal box. I wonder if it was ever really meant for us to do this - to make our every thought so readily available to speculation by the masses. We talk about anything, just to talk to someone, anyone. Our emotions come rushing out at lightning speed. Maybe we wouldn't take each other for granted if we saw each other in tiny, precious pieces that were carefully formed and shaped until they finally sprouted little wings and made us marvel at how wonderful and mysterious we all are.
If you have ever traveled or lived in the South, then you have probably seen a lot of cotton fields and textile mills. The small town where I live has at least three textile mills. These mills have built the town up to what it is now. They used to be the workhorses of the town and its people. Around these mills are sprawling streets with lovely names, big trees, sidewalks, and little brick houses with red and green tile roofs and arched porches. The mill villages are like mazes lined with gingerbread houses and street lights. The mill workers lived there, bought their groceries there, and raised their families there. I have heard that the houses were originally built out of wood and then later reinforced with brick.
I live in a fifty year old mill house in such a village. The heart of the village, the mill, has been closed down for years but people still thrive in these old houses. When I look out my window I see: power lines, carports, fences, antennas, dogs, loose chickens, leafless branches, and houses full of families sharing their lives with walls that have seen generations of hearts beating out their love. Across the street is an old hardware store and a house with two dogs fenced in the front yard. I sit on my porch swing and listen to the neighbors blast country music over their radios, or wait until dark when the dogs bark at the cars passing by on main street heading into downtown.
I thought I would give you a little piece of my life. This is one of my original art prints.
I am finally working in my studio again! I have a new series of paintings that I will share later.
.: Warm 'n Fuzzy :. 's vox has inspired me to start a crafty swap. I am going to start swapping with people I know who are into crafts and things. There aren't many in my town, however, so if you're interested in swapping let me know!
Today I went christmas ornament shopping with my mom. Yes, I know it is a little early, (I am not putting my tree up until after Thanksgiving), but living in a small town means that there are limited options for such things. All the good ornaments will be gone soon. It was semi-successful. I am a strong supporter of the odd Christmas ornaments. My Christmas colors are blue, green, and silver. : )
While on the shopping venture I found some very reasonably priced shadow boxes. They are a light colored wood with a glass door that snaps shut with a magnet. On the inside is plain canvas and some little pins for pinning up objects. I'm very excited about creating some new art pieces with these. I will vox pictures of the progress.
I recently was inspired to join a website called goodreads.com. I am in desperate need of some new reading material. My husband and I have a decent sized collection of books, but I have exhausted my resources at home and am searching for some new inspiration! On the website you can create bookshelves of favorite books, books to read, etc., as well as meet other people and recommend books to each other.
I am already excited about the prospects! The holidays are a perfect time to pick up new reading. I have no music lessons to teach this week and no practice so please..anyone with book suggestions, bring it on!
currently listening to: William Fitzsimmons - "Goodnight"
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Recent Comments
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runnergirl said:
[this is good]I am always amazed at your craftsmanship and artwork! I love the tea tray! Will you make me a belt... read more
on Embroidered Tea Tray -
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paraskies said:
[esto es genial]I used to bring out my mother's typewriter when I was smallas welland she got it as a gift once;... read more
on grow wings and fly -
Hey! Any recommendations on where I could get some good loose leaf tea and a diffuser? read more
on Embroidered Tea Tray